I’m a huge fan of thank you notes/cards/etc. Here’s what I would write to former President George Bush:
“Thank you so much for your service to our country for the last eight years. I really appreciate it.
Although I have very different political views than you do, I admire your willingness to live your life under the microscope of the public eye for almost a decade. I’m sure that it wasn’t easy. (Right now, my major “job” is to be mom to my two sons. I know that if people dissected everything that I said and did in my “job” that there would be plenty of room for criticism too!)
I’m sure that if you had some decisions to make over, you would have done some things differently. Who wouldn’t? Hindsight is always 20-20.
Yesterday, after celebrating a wonderful, historic day, my mother and I said a prayer for our new President and for you. We both feel like our country hasn’t been particularly gracious or loyal to you – especially during your last years in office. When times were going well, we all “partied together”. After 911, we sang your praises (and rightfully so!). When things took a turn for the worse, unfortunately you bore the brunt of the blame.
My hope is that as a nation, we will show much more grace and loyalty to our new President. (He’s human and bound to make mistakes too!) I also hope that you will have peace and some (well-deserved) rest during this next phase of your life.
Once again, thanks…and God bless you and your family!
Sincerely,
Kimberly Coleman
P.S. Even though our politics are practically opposite, I always got the sense that you were a great man who sincerely wanted to serve his country. The way you handled the transition to Obama reconfirmed my opinion.”